Category: Engaged and Participatory Research Fund

Dr Jess Marshall talks about the Growing Belonging project, investigating the connection between belonging and community participation, and how research can begin to measure the outcomes of this. This work was supported by our Engaged and Participatory Research Fund for the 2025-6 academic year.

Dr Daniel Fountain tells us about the development of “Queerly Made”, which explores the legacy of craft in the LGBTQ+ communities, and looks at tackling the challenges of underrepresentation in national craft collections. Support from our Engaged and Participatory Research Fund has helped bring this subject to new audiences through workshops and exhibitions in the Tees Valley.

In our final blog piece from our 2024-25 cohort of Engaged and Participatory Research Fund awardees, Lucy Kirkland tells us more about Community Conversations about Cancer, a project which investigated inequalities and underrepresentation in cancer diagnosis, working with a network of community partners across Exeter.

Dr Federico Botta shares insights from his team’s collaboration with Exeter Science Centre, in which both parties sought to better understand Exeter residents’ views on urban liveability, supported by the 2024-25 Engaged and Participatory Research Fund. 

Professor Federico Caprotti and Dr Whitney Pailman share updates on their work exploring the relationship between community resilience, entrepreneurship, economic mobility and navigating infrastructure disruptions in urban, informal settlements in South Africa. With support from the Engaged and Participatory Research Fund, the researchers worked closely with local residents and policymakers.

Tim Hughes tells us about recent work completed with Loveland, a community field project based in Falmouth, which invites local people to get involved in food growth and sustainability. With support from our Bridging Communities Fund, Loveland’s work has continued to grow, inviting new audiences to explore their natural surroundings.

Dr Safi Darden talks about her recent project, B-HUGS, supported as part of the 2024-25 Engaged and Participatory Research Fund. This work draws on interdisciplinary expertise, looking to address rissues of educational belonging for Black youth in Devon.

Dr Helen Birkett tells us about how Engaged and Participatory Research Funding helped support the LGBTQ+ Schools Champions Scheme. Working with Dr Chris Sandal-Wilson, and major local charity, Intercom Trust, the project has explored new avenues for engaging young people with LGBTQ+ history, and encouraging belonging amongst LGBTQ+ pupils.

Dr Kristin Liabo, Beccy Summers, and Professors Heike Roms, and Kerrie Schaefer discuss insights gained from recent work supported by the Engaged and Participatory Research Fund. This project collaborated with staff and students to identify strategies for supporting engagement with school-based education.

Dr Tomas Chaigneau tells us about his research with co-applicants Giulia Nicolini, Kerry Holbrook, and Ruth Klückers, investigating the role of communities in Cornwall’s seaweed farming industry. Their use of the 2024-25 Engaged and Participatory Research Fund helped to incorporate stakeholder perspectives, and engage both industry professionals and local communities in this project.